My LEGO Nexus Organization

A topic that is sorely needed here!  Discuss RPGs in general here, from dice superstition to GM-ing styles to which version of D&D you like best, and of course, this is the place to discuss any of the RPGs here that don't have their own discussion topic (or even those that do!)

I'll get us started with this gem of wisdom from Darths & Droids:

 Hey, that's what I'm trying to do in my RPG. =P

 That's why Vanon is in there. I'm going to assume that you guys are all curious as to what happens with him and Kelsier.

Am I reading this right, may I also a theme for an RPG?

Theme?  There are all kinds of themes/settings for RPGs, from fantasy to sci-fi-to steampunk to generic urban role-playing.

EDIT: Darths & Droids is one of the most helpful resources I've ever used to understand the way to play RPGs; it's a webcomic with a storyline that the Star Wars movies is actually the RPG campaign of a group of gamers.  Yes, it's a webcomic, and yes, it does satirize RPG culture to a degree.  But that gives me valuable insight into said culture, and the way the GM of the story really does set a fine example of how to run an RPG.  It also attempts to explain unfamiliar RPG jargon in a way that non-gamers will understand, which is also quite helpful.  Link here:
http://www.darthsanddroids.net/episodes/0001.html

As an added bonus, it actually makes more sense than the Star Wars prequel movies; case in point: one of the most memorable lines is, "Jar Jar, you're a genius!"  And it's actually true. :P


Also: why don't our RPGs have more player-generated plans like this?
http://www.darthsanddroids.net/episodes/0098.html

Flipz, first post, quote: Yeah, that sounds about right. In the RPG form of TML(Still pending because BZP decided to be upgraded just as I was finishing off the first post, and before I could copy the post to the placeholder here. >_^), I have a legend, a few locations, explanations of the powers, and a bunch of other stuff.

And it's the legend that's throwing me off everything, including Fate of Elaine. D=

Mahri: Yes, yes we are. =P

Flipz, post 4: Well, some of us have plans like that, but we've never actually been in a large enough group for something like that before en masse. =P Would we coordinate in or OOC? Hard to tell in that comic. =P

Actually, Blade, Jim (Qui-Gon) came up with that plan all on his own.  Read forward a few comics and see how it turns out. :P

Nice. xD

Though, technically, some of my sub plots could use that type of planning. =P

Yeah, but you're the GM (most of the time).  We need more plans like that by the players.

Here's why GM-created plans like that don't count: they miss the opportunity for the last panel of this:
http://www.darthsanddroids.net/episodes/0100.html

Saw that one already. =P

Also, I was meaning more stuff in SHIRA or Shapers or so. =P You have a point, though.

 Where'd you guys get the ideas for your RPG's? Mostly talking to Blade, but I could be wrong about where Flipz got his. =P

Dreams or just thinking up ideas. =P

I'm being literal for DoaH. =P TML a little bit based on that, but it's had major, major, MAJOR revisions. =P

Skies, only slightly, that was mostly just thinking up an idea, however. =P

And the LoZ RPG is obviously based off LoZ. =P

 That LoZ RPG was a big suprise. =P

 That's pretty much how I thought up mine; randomly when I was really bored. =P
 

Surprisingly, I have an idea that was thought of purposely; and it's not an idea that was directly based off anything. It has basis in a couple things, but I want it to be separate from those things, and be judged on it's own merits.

I haven't figured out if I want the powers to be based only in the object, or allow characters to actually perform techniques that couldn't typically be done, such as super jumps or the like. If those were in, however, it'd only be for the purposes of fighting or quick travel. =P Aka; it wouldn't be abused.

Ok this confuses me.. in fact the whole RPG concept still confuses me...

What confuses you? *Blinks*

Also, the RPG concept that we tend to use is more or less a collaborated story in a way. Though, I'm gonna hopefully try and add in more elements of other things, like D&D style stuff... The one problem with that, is that I've never played a game of D&D at all. =P

Here ya go.  I'd type up the entire first chapter of the Star Wars Roleplaying Game (Saga Edition) rulebook, but this is easier. :P  (I've played SWRPG (Saga edition) and built a character for D&D 3.5, but I haven't actually played D&D.)

http://www.howcast.com/videos/259689-How-To-Play-Dungeons-and-Dragons

Is there anything that has info in text? =P

The other problem is character sheets; I've never seen one before.

 I think that the profile sheets we create seem to work fairly well.

Lemme find one, I'll edit this post when I get a link. ;)

EDIT: done!
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/charactersheets

I sounds like a broken record; but that site safe? =P

Mahri: Yes, but it doesn't allow more things. ;)

It's the official D&D site, I think so.  ;)  Reputable company and all that.

Ah, okay, didn't know it was the official site. =P

 Do they need to?

Do they need to what? 0_o

Say, I remember the "Moving Test" from MLN:NG.  Do you think we should implement something like that here?  Not as a requirement or anything, more as a guided tutorial for people new to roleplaying. ;)

I could use a tutorial of sorts, I mean I like to write and I do have a descent imagination. Though every time I tried an RPG I was always getting corrected by someone. I think Flipz is on the right track with this...

I think it'd be a good idea... Maybe a 'beginner RPG' or something? Something where there are no limits, and you can test ideas for other RPGs?

Hey, since there appears to be no topics where I can present an idea for an RPG, I'll present one here.

Okay, here's the outline:

In the future, not in the future so much that it is a clone of the generic sci-fi setting, people can get full-blown advanced cybernetic replacements whenever they want. This is also around the time we have set up a few 'moon bases' of sorts as well as a base on Mars, the base on Mars for scientific purpose, and the ones on the Moon for both scientific purposes and for use as colonies. We also have the 'New International Space Station', built after the International Space Station was destroyed, and much bigger than its predecessor, almost like a second moon this time and acts as a colony. Quite a few humans have cybernetic implants, and some people dislike this, as they believe it removes the 'purity' of the human. In some countries, being a cyborg is punishable by death, in others you are a second class citizen, or have your implants removed by force. But that doesn't mean something else doesn't happen in other countries. In these countries, being 'pure human' is punishable, with three possible outcomes: you're forced to get implants, imprisoned if you resist, or outright killed if you kill the cyborg. However, there are rational countries, where everyone is equal. But those are few and far between. Tension between 'pure humans' and cyborgs is high, and if things go in the wrong direction, a war could happen.

Recently, a couple of Earth's countries have cut off all contact with the Moon colonies, due the Moon colonies mostly being composed of cyborgs. The moon colonies' inhabitants are cyborgs because they have to be, to be able to survive the different conditions on the moon, with very few 'pure' humans. The notable countries that cut off contact with the Moon are the Southern United States of America, which have seceded from the rest of the USA. The rest of the USA is now known as the 'Northern United States of America'. There are disputes between the two, as they have conflicting views. Another country that has cut off contact is China, as they dislike cyborgs a heck of a lot, to the point of killing them on occasion. There is also most of the Middle East, which have cut off contact for religious reasons. On the opposite end, the New International Space Station is rarely used by the countries that approve of cyborgs, so the New International Space Station is inhabited by 'pure' humans.

And as for our base on Mars... rumours have been circling around that we have found signs of intelligent, sentient life there, but we may jeopardise the entire situation if we allow a war to break out... peaceful relations are the key.

[END OF OUTLINE]

So that's it. A RPG about Humanity's advance into cybernetic implants, early extraterrestrial colonisation, and the possibility of sentient life elsewhere, in order of importance. The main thing is the tension between the Pure Humans, and the Cyborgs.

What do people think?

Sounds like it'd be interesting, to me. =) Certainly different than most things I've seen; and gives an interesting take on the ethics of robotics. Could be very cool. =D

hm...... certainly promising.

shoot me a message next time you see me on steam, i'll help you flesh out the details. ;)
certainly sounds like an intriguing idea to play.

Ooh, robots. That's another thing I could add into it. Not only that, but cyborgs who are wholly cyborg and 0% human as well as robots and everything else.

I think this will prove for a very interesting RPG.

Cyborgs who are zero perfect human = people who have uploaded/transferred their consciousness to a robotic brain (aka quantum computer)

Yes.... I will love this RPG. >:D

This'll definitely be an interesting RPG, for sure.

Will there be a list of countries which have the different rules, or at least general locations for those? And will it be possible to have one that would typically be one kind, instead be overrun by robots/androids/cyborgs?

Dunno if I should still post here, but why is every RPG cursed to die within the first few weeks of its life? The luckier ones go on for two months or so and then die, and very, very few go on to become long-term RPGs.

It would appear that this is caused by a lack of interest, maybe? So, based on that, I have a proposal.

Let's have everyone plan an RPG. Planned by everyone, for everyone. Evidently we would need a game master of some sorts, to keep things in check and to guide a general story so that things don't get too boring.

That, my friends, enemies, and people I have never interacted with, is my proposal.

They don't really die, it's more that Blade and I are the only ones that really post. So when Blade goes "poof" for a new video game...

Plus our own neglect of them. Some of them may seem good for a month and may seem unique, but then they quickly lose their 'flavour', if you know what I mean, and then start seeming boring.

Plus some are just plain terrible. (all of my RPGs.)

My RPGs would last longer if people other than Blade would join. ::)

Well, some are on topics that don't generally seem like it would work. (Didn't we used to have a McDonalds RPG?)

...we did? Now, I don't mean disrespect to whoever created it, but I know a stupid idea when I see them.

McDonalds RPG: Yes, we did, and we shall never speak of it again.(No, not because I made it, because I didn't; but because it was a kinda odd idea. =P)(I can find the link if anyone wants, but it got maybe one, two posts max)

Skrief: Your ideas aren't terrible. In fact, they were awesome, especially Pseudo Humanity. We just kinda got locked between a rock and a hard place, when everyone suddenly stopped posting. ._.'

That said, your proposal is a good one. If we had more than three or four RPers, then I'd say maybe have a newer approach to RPGs in general(Kinda like how BZP prefers people post ideas, and have others give their feelings on it), but as it is, an idea like that may draw attention more, and attract more people.

Erm... *chuckles nervously*  I think a lot of people underestimate how hard it is to generate ideas, especially over a long period of time.

I like Skrief's idea, let's work together to decide the sort of overall world and system we want, and then if someone has an idea for a story arc, they can be the GM of that segment, passing on the torch to someone else when they run out of ideas. ;)

That sounds like a good idea. Sounds good to me. =D